This ride explores some western sydney cyclepaths as well as taking in three Olympic venues. There are only a few hills, none very long. The distance is about 85 km in total. You could shorten it by taking the train back from Cabramatta or Canley Vale or any station along the Liverpool to Parramatta Line, or Regents Park. Traffic-wise, there are only a few main roads to contend with, most being crossed at lights or underpasses. Navigation may be a problem in parts, I hope the maps here are useful. Take a street directory in case. An alternative route to the Farm from Prospect Dam via the M4 and Prospect Canal routes is now open. See the Prospect Dam ride.
After a break near the Stadium exit Olympic Park via Birnie Avenue, near the Athletics track. Cross Parramatta Rd and keep going south on Birnie Av to Bachell Av and Church St, to the bridge over the railway at Lidcombe Station. Go over the bridge and turn left then right at a roundabout onto East St, which borders Rookwood Cemetery to the left. Keep going until a right turn at Georges Av. Follow Georges Av across a main road and west to Berala Railway Station. Follow Campbell St and then Regent St south along the railway to Regents Park. There is a hot bread shop there in Amy St if you need a break. From Amy St near the Station turn right at the roundabout and go over the railway then immediately left onto Carlingford St. Turn left at Woods Rd and go under the railway then straight ahead down Woods Rd past parkland on the left all the way to the end at Ferrier Rd, turn right, and then left onto Rose St then right onto Buist St. Turn left onto Hector St which heads south to meet the Hume Highway at a set of lights. The Velodrome is not far away now.
Cross at the lights and access the footpath via a small kerb ramp near the lights. Go right for a few metres then left down a path just past the buildings. This leads to Carysfield Rd. Head left along this road and turn right shortly at the roundabout into the Dunc Grey Velodrome. It may not be open but you can admire it from the outside and have a break here if you wish. If there is training on or an event you can have a look inside. See the NSW Cycling website for details of coming races and events.
At the Hume Highway head down to the Lansdowne Bridge (built 1836) on a dirt footpath and use the concrete footpath over the bridge. On the other side there is a narrow dirt footpath for a short distance until you can get onto a shoulder. When it runs out you can conveniently rejoin the footpath/cyclepath and go along to a set of lights where there is a right turn to Canley Vale. Use the pedestrian lights to cross here and get onto Lansdowne Road. Veer left onto Chancery St. Left onto Vale St then right onto Longfield St, which meets Bloomfield St at the railway line. Cabramatta Station is close by, to the left. Cross the railway via the overhead pedestrian bridge at the station (has a ramp so easy to wheel bikes over) and you are in Cabramatta commercial centre. Go left then right into John St, which is full of restaurants and food stalls, with arcades leading to more food stalls. It is often very busy on a Sunday and full of cars but there is a small pedestrian mall (Freedom Plaza) off John St with a Dragon Gate and you may be able to use the benches as a base and a parking spot for the bikes while you get some food and explore this vibrant area, home to many different nationalities, including Vietnamese and Chileans.
You could follow the Rail Trail back to Parramatta from Canley Vale and then follow the M4 route to Homebush Bay and get back that way, or hop on a train anywhere on the way to get back to Leichhardt.
see map of route